legacy

A Legacy of Faith

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Scripture Notes Header

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure, dwells in you as well.  For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.  (2 Timothy 1:5-7)

For what reason does Paul remind Timothy to press on and increase in the power of God?  Because of Timothy’s godly heritage.

A legacy of faith is both an opportunity and a responsibility.  It provides a set of shoulders on which to stand, and a charge from God to rise to the occasion so that others may stand on your shoulders, too.

If you come from a long line of believers, may God give you strength and will to follow the path they started.  If you don’t, may He give you courage to blaze the trail for those who will come behind.

–Pastor Phillip

God can use your life to bless generations

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As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast.  You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.  (James 5:10-11)

In the midst of Job’s suffering, it’s doubtful he felt like a recipient of mercy and compassion.  Yet, how many countless millions or more have been strengthened and encouraged by the example of his life?

How compassionate and merciful is God, then, that He would allow one man the opportunity to impact lives for thousands of years after his death!  What an incredible gift!

Never forget that the impact of your life can be far bigger than your lifetime.  Remember that the purpose of your existence is far greater than your experience.

If you’re willing to embrace a big picture perspective, you’ll discover a strength and resolve like you’ve never known.  So, take your eyes off your immediate circumstances today and let God bring you joy through this truth.

God can use your life to bless generations.

–Pastor Phillip

Jesus is your guaranteed inheritance

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For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.  Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  (Hebrews 10:34-35)

The world has its values system of what matters and what doesn’t, and it teaches us to safeguard what we hold to be most valuable.  Yet, in this life we have far less control than we imagine, and in light of this vulnerability, how do we deal with the inevitability of loss?

We fix our eyes on the one thing we can never lose: Jesus Himself.

It is Christ who is our cherished possession, and His love that is our greatest reward.  If the uncertainty of life has you down, you can be lifted up by re-orienting your values system around this one simple truth.

Jesus is your guaranteed inheritance.

–Pastor Phillip

God will reveal your righteousness

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God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 24

GOD WILL REVEAL YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

“So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.”  (Acts 24:16)

Paul was being falsely accused… Again.

Just like Jesus, he was on trial for going against the establishment and upsetting the religious leaders of his day.  Just like Jesus, he would eventually be executed by Rome, but not because he was guilty.  No, Rome would act according to what was best for them politically.  However, even so, Paul’s judges came to a definite conclusion about him based on his life.

Just like Jesus, they declared him innocent.

The world is not always a place of justice and truth.  There may be times when forces and purposes far larger than you may be at work in your life.  That’s why it’s such good news to know that this world is not all there is!

This world does not have the last word, Jesus does.

This world may be able to manipulate your life temporarily, but if you’re in Christ, it cannot break your legacy and it cannot halt your destiny.

God is watching over you and is so pleased when you stand firm in the midst of adversity.  Not only that, but the world is watching you, too, and will be impacted as you persist in integrity.

Hold fast today.  Stay strong.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and your life in line with His Word, and be assured that God will protect your legacy and reward your tenacity.

As you stand firm and do what’s right, no matter the cost, remember God is watching over you, to give you the hope of this truth: God will reveal your righteousness.

-Pastor Phillip

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Jesus is your ultimate inheritance

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God’s Hope for Your Heart from Acts 13

JESUS IS YOUR ULTIMATE INHERITANCE

And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this He has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus… (Acts 13:32-33a)

Inheritance rights are a big deal.  All throughout history and even in our own day, it’s more common than not to see families squabble and fight over who gets the most valuable items or amounts after a loved one dies.

Why is this?  Because we all want to have the best portion of the inheritance.

Make no mistake about this, though.  Above silver and gold, above lands and property, above stocks and bonds and heirlooms and memories and anything else you might receive, there is one thing you have coming to you that is far more valuable than anything else.  Not only that, but there is one thing you can pass on as a legacy that outshines anything else, too.

Jesus.

Maybe your family situation is pristine or maybe it’s problematic.  Maybe you have a great inheritance coming to you or maybe there’s nothing left but a string of unkept promises.  Maybe you have a great ability to leave an inheritance for those you love, or maybe you find yourself lacking in more ways than one.

Whatever your circumstance, don’t miss this simple but powerful promise from God.  If you’re in Christ, then Jesus Himself is God’s gift to you.  His presence is yours to experience, His power yours in which to walk.  His love is there for your peace, and His grace is yours in which to stand.

Rest in this promise today, and as you do, may you find hope in this truth: Jesus is your ultimate inheritance.

-Pastor Phillip

p.s. To learn more about God’s INCREDIBLE inheritance for you in Christ, check out my teaching series “Inheritance” by CLICKING HERE.

AUDIO VERSION (Click here to subscribe to the daily podcast on iTunes.)

 

God can use your life to bless generations

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Scripture Notes on James 5

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (James 5:10-11)

In the midst of Job’s suffering, it’s doubtful he felt like a recipient of mercy and compassion. Yet, how many countless millions or more have been strengthened and encouraged by the example of his life?

How compassionate and merciful is God, then, that He would allow one man the opportunity to impact lives for thousands of years after his death! What an incredible gift!

Never forget that the impact of your life can be far bigger than your lifetime. Remember that the purpose of your existence is far greater than your experience.

You will discover a strength and resolve like you’ve never known when you adopt a big picture perspective. So, take your eyes off your immediate circumstances and let God bring you joy through this truth.

God can use your life to bless generations.

-Pastor Phillip

Prayer for Legacy

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[NOTE: My grandfather, J. Bryan “Breezy” Brasington entered eternity on 3/13/11.  His life was spent glorifying Jesus, and his death did the same.  This prayer was written the day of his memorial, after the service.]

Oh the gravity of it all!

What a life, what a love, what a Savior, what a charge and legacy.

O God, make me a servant like him, fruitful and faithful to the last; joyous and peaceful ’till the end.

What a need, what a darkness in our world, and only Your light can defeat it.

Use me, Lord.  O God, use me up and let me burn bright and clear for You, like Papito did…

…and still does.